Remember what you are a part of. 1Corinthians 3:1-9 When a new assembly of believers gathers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in a local area and begins to carry out scriptural practices, there are some things we share. Everyone who is part of that fellowship has received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and they love Him deeply. Each person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has a Spirit-inspired desire to please God and obey His Word. A concern for others unites us around the truth of the Gospel and the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.
We all appreciate the work Lord Jesus did while He was here, and we want to emulate Him and truly follow His example. Living a Christ-like life among family and friends is important to us. There is a special spiritual quality about us when we are first saved and when an assembly begins its public testimony in a community. At that moment in our Christian journey, there is a clear difference between what is natural and what is spiritual. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm for God's things doesn't always last.
We don’t expect new believers to be spiritually mature when they first accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, nor do we expect those who are young in age to be the same as older believers. What we do expect is to see evidence of spiritual growth as a believer understands who they are in Christ and as their sanctification becomes real to them. Prolonged spiritual immaturity is not normal. When there is no evidence of growth in the Lord, something is missing that should be there, or something is present that should not be. To be able to distinguish between good and evil is a basic trait of someone who has been born again.
As believers grow older in Christ and as an assembly of saints continues to publicly represent our risen Lord, there should be evidence of maturity and spiritual growth both in the collective body of saints and in individual believers who represent that body in all aspects of their lives. Growth in Christ will be apparent in how God’s people elevate their spirits above the typical fleshly ways that are common to the natural man.
God is the silent observer of everything we do, speak, or even think. His written word is where we find God-given counsel, and His Spirit is the Teacher who guides us into all truth and shows us how to apply divine truth in our lives. Good counsel, good teaching, and good works help us build good material into God’s building and good nutrients into God’s field. The temple of God and the assembly of His people are of great importance. It is there that all efforts to live for the Lord and serve Him are shared in fellowship with others who share the same mind in the Lord.
Envying suggests discontentment among God's children. A family of God's people should be recognized by the similarities we share because of the new nature God has given us. Envy causes division when one person insists on getting their way and demands that others submit to their wishes, or they show their displeasure openly and verbally. Everything God does through each person is part of a larger whole and contributes to an effective witness to His name. Believers are not rivals but partners working together for God.
Our role as laborers is to prepare the field for the seed of God's word and then plant that seed by preaching the Gospel. Next, we water the seed through sincere prayer and care for those who hear the word. God then does the rest by sending life from the seed to ultimately produce good fruit. He provides life, growth, maturity, and the full harvest of positive outcomes.
Christians are not truly spiritual if they do not walk by faith and obey the Holy Spirit. They are not simply natural people either because they know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Carnal means fleshly. Envy, division, and self-centeredness are traits of someone who is carnal. They have experienced part of our heritage in Christ but are not enjoying the full riches we have in Him.
Therefore, we must stop being “babes in Christ” and avoid remaining childish. Holy living and a genuine understanding of the power of the Gospel come when we consume solid spiritual food from the word of God. Carnal believers are not living in a way that aligns with the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For a group of God's people who gather in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, having been called out of the natural world to Him, dividing over favorite preachers or ministers is abhorrent to both onlookers and to God. It is childish to line up behind different leaders and allow division to take hold within the family or congregation. This is like one child only listening to the mother while another only responds to the father. A healthy family functions well when the roles of both parents are understood, respected, and obeyed. Likewise, believers in a local assembly should show the same respect for each other, as was the case at Corinth. Sadly, those believers were still immature children—and not only them.
As growth occurs in the lives of God's people, we recognize that we are gathered to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is in heaven interceding for us. Our awareness of a living Savior mediating continuously on our behalf lifts us beyond ourselves and all the blessings we've received, focusing on Him and how we can bless Him. This goes beyond the nourishment milk provides, to the meat that strengthens us to serve Him. Each believer will be rewarded for their faithful service, of whatever kind, by the Lord of the harvest. It is important that we who serve God understand that we represent Him, who is holy; therefore, we are to be holy.
Jealousy, divisions, quarreling, and envy are selfish expressions rooted in self-centeredness and fleshly desires. Each of us has a role to serve God. Let us be thankful for what God has granted us to do for His glory, and as we help others, remember that we serve God when we serve people. The gifts God has given us are meant to help all of us, as members of one body, meet the needs of the church. Additionally, using these gifts allows us to "do good unto all men" as it pleases God.
An assembly of Christian believers is like a field, a building, and a temple. Those in the local church have received gifts from God, providing abilities from the Lord to participate in fellowship for the benefit of everyone. Paul planted the Gospel seed in places where it had never been before. Apollos watered the new believers with teachings from the scriptures. God alone gives life to the planted seed, and He sustains growth until the fruit of the Gospel appears, maintaining it as maturity develops.
Preparing the ground for seeding and planting requires someone who is willing and able to work hard to create the right conditions for the harvest we hope for, trusting by faith that it will bring blessing. A person who waters must be patient, willing to do the same task day after day, and content to see small signs of growth. The life of the seed that is planted thrives because of the water that comes from God Himself through His servants. He alone is the source of life. He is the only One who can make the life-principle work and produce "much fruit."
Every individual working in God's field is a vital part of the whole work. The variety of gifts matches the variety of needs to complete that work. Everyone who works in the field is of God, from God, and for God. That's why we have all been chosen, saved, and prepared for the ministry that reaches the world from God’s local churches. As we grow personally within our families, we also develop our ability to work more skillfully in the harvest field. This diversity of ability and strength unites God's people with a shared purpose. As we look forward with hope to the time when Lord Jesus Christ rules in glory, we should be united in spirit so we can glorify Him now through our church life and in our personal lives, in our "bodies and spirits which are His."
At the same time, we focus on our ministry with all its aspects, which requires every saint to be unified. Those who serve Him are nothing without Him. The unity God desires in His people combines the gifts given to each person, and when each is faithful to attend to their specific area of service, God produces the desired results. Although each person is different, we are reminded that we have no reason to be proud. "Puffed up" is a term that was used to describe the dividing behavior among the Corinthian believers.
Humility is needed alongside enthusiasm to give all the credit for a good harvest where it belongs. "It is God that giveth the increase." One may work hard to ensure necessary finances are available to support someone who preaches the Gospel and leads souls to Christ. At the same time, there are unseen people who are earnestly praying that the spiritual condition of unbelievers, the spiritual state of the preacher, and the commitment of the one witness might be such that God can work through those chosen vessels.
God does not randomly assign a variety of gifts. Needs differ, so resources vary. Every sister and brother has a role to play, work to do, and a unique opportunity. When they are placed where God intends, a voice is heard by those who seek it as the Spirit of God uses the word of God to bring life. The person whose voice is heard is gifted by God, positioned strategically, and spiritually equipped to meet the needs of the situation. The result of the message and the united effort is that someone is called and saved by the Holy Spirit, and the lost are found.
It may be that another person struggles to build good connections. Their gift is to provide what is needed to bring blessings to people in distant places. The far-reaching impact of united faithful work is needed in God's harvest field. Sowers are needed to plant the seed of the word of God. Those who water and those who reap are essential when the seed produces spiritual fruit for eternal life. That is what the Lord of the harvest intended when He sent each different person. He alone knows the gift He gave to each one and what each person's best ability is. When the harvest is over, the work is finished, and the profit is finally counted, everyone who had a part in the work rejoices because the Lord Himself is exalted.
Like in a family, we want the babies to grow into maturity in the faith. Each new believer reflects a characteristic of the One who saved them by His amazing grace. When we labor in God's field, the privilege of participating in the great harvest is our reward. When the fruit is all gathered and counted, all the glory belongs to the Lord. The diversity of the work we do does not change our shared goal. In unity, our purpose is to bless the Lord and bring salvation to precious souls. When serving with a spirit of humility, there is a place where God can bless. Praise, worship, and honor are given to Him when the fruitful season is over and the harvest is brought in.
The “planter” is the worker who understands the type of soil he is preparing for the harvest. Through experience, he knows what the ground needs before planting the seed. Thorns and thistles must be cleared before planting. Weeds must be pulled out and eradicated beforehand. Then, the ground must be turned over to bury any remaining problems. The soil itself should be prepared by removing stones and rocks. It can be smoothed out so that hard patches are broken up and ready to receive good seed. When, with his experienced eye, he sees the ground is ready, he takes the precious seed and places it where it will find everything it needs to grow into healthy, fruit-bearing plants.
Much of the gospel work is done before bringing the sinner to a state where he can receive the word on the good ground of his heart. Clear explanations of the need of the soul need to be given. To present the problem is our first task. Once we understand the degree of awareness about one’s need, we can proceed to the solution. That is where the truths of salvation, the work of Christ, and the response of faith are shared. Focusing undivided attention on the problem and solution will create a sense of urgency in the message. The planting season is nearly over, so keep working until this phase of the work is complete. Urging the sinner to action is as far as the planter can go in his duties. He realizes… “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.”
The “waterer” observes the changing seasons. His gaze is on the color of the sky and the dampness of the ground. When he detects a need for water, he personally carries and applies it. Time and again, he goes to the Water Source, dips into the life-giving water, and transfers it through his heart and mind to the plants under his care that are drying out. His task is repetitive and tiring. He doesn’t know which bucket of water changed the threat of death into the promise of life. He doesn’t know which day the water was most effective. All he needs to know is that he did his part. When green shoots appear and fruit begins to form, he knows he has fulfilled his role as the "waterer..." "BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.”
God provides the increase because He is the Life-Source in the seed. He places everything needed in the dark ground to produce fruit. He knows the perfect amount of heat, light, and water required for plants to grow. God orchestrates the process that works together to make fruit show.
The “planter” and the “waterer” understand they can only do what God allows; "BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE.” The wonderful thing is that God permits both to participate with Him in the process. Whether it is in preaching the Gospel or in teaching and nurturing believers; everyone rejoices together and is rewarded by the fruit – “BUT GOD GAVE THE INCREASE!”
God desires to see fruit produced in an assembly that, in turn, will generate more fruit in God's great field. We will all be rewarded for the effort we put into advancing the Gospel and bringing in a fruitful harvest. Holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, praise, worship, and souls are all fruit that can grow from a fruitful assembly, a "tilled field." Cultivation requires effort and careful tending of "God's husbandry." The same care is needed in His building.